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Hauppauge-Donaldson’s residence and store burns

August 10, 1904, 2330 hours. Wallace Donaldson’s Store, residence and the village post office building was struck by lightning and burned. The Donaldson property was on the north side of Town Line Road at the intersection of Wheeler Road (Rte 111) and just east of the Methodist Church. The Brooklyn Eagle reported the large general store of Wallace Donaldson & sons was struck by lightning and “totally destroyed, together with all its contents.”

The fine old residence of the Donaldsons adjoining was also consumed.”The two buildings were described as being separated only by a narrow wagon way. The loss was estimated at $20,000 insurance was “light”.

There were no fire departments in the existence yet in Smithtown or Hauppauge.

The store was rebuilt and the second Donaldson store was also destroyed by fire on July 13, 1916. Friday 21, During the electric storm last Thursday, the Post Office and general store of W. W. Donaldson was struck and in less than an house had burned to the ground. The bolt of lightning entered the rear of the store near the oil tanks. Through the efforts of a bucket brigade the surrounding buildings and the home of W. J. Hubbs, next door, were saved.The Long Islander 7/21/1916.

Photo above is of the original store.
Brooklyn Daily Times January 13, 1906

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